Specialist Occupational Therapist

Hello!

We are so delighted you are considering coming to work with us at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).

We know the power of looking into an organisation, one you might want to work in, or one where you are going to get help, and being able to say, 'I've seen somewhere I can fit in and be myself.' We're on a journey to make the Trust an inclusive employer, representative of the community we serve and we want more of our community to consider applying for jobs with us.

Opportunities for you

Spanning east to west coasts from Northumberland to Cumbria and from the Scottish Borders down to Middlesbrough we've got exciting new opportunities available at every level and in every area.

We offer flexible working, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities, or training and development needs and there's lots on offer in the way of benefits, such as, lease cars, childcare schemes, staff discounts, season tickets for travel and a cycle to work scheme. All this in a vibrant workplace supported by the following staff networks.

We also have a number of staff support groups which are open to any staff to attend. These Include:

• Cultural diversity staff network
• Disabled staff network
• LGBT+ staff network

We offer fantastic personal development opportunities through our Collective Leadership Programme and other Organisational Development initiatives. Whatever you are looking for, you will be joining a supportive, friendly team, offering varied and interesting roles, with opportunities for career progression.

We're always seeking to improve as an organisation. Do you want to be part of that?

Please note that it is a requirement of this Trust that all external applicants pay for their own DBS certification if a DBS check is required for the post. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first monthly pay

Job overview

We are seeking a motivated & flexible Occupational Therapist to join the inpatient team at Walkergate Park on a fixed-term basis for 12 months to cover maternity leave .

The post will be offered as either:

• 0.8 WTE Band 5 , or
• 0.6 WTE Band 6 ,

dependent on experience, skills, and ability to meet the relevant competency requirements.

Walkergate Park is commissioned as a UKROC Level 1 neurorehabilitation service, providing care for patients with highly complex neurological needs who have identified rehabilitation potential and goals. The service comprises four inpatient wards: two neuro-rehabilitation, one neuro-behavioural, and one neuro-psychiatric ward. The Occupational Therapy team works as part of a well-established multidisciplinary team.

The role involves the assessment, goal-setting and treatment of patients with a range of neurological conditions, including stroke & traumatic brain injury, alongside other neurological conditions. Interventions include rehabilitation to support engagement in daily activities, cognitive rehabilitation, environmental & equipment assessment for discharge planning, liaison with community services, and onward referral where appropriate.

Band 6 applicants will be expected to demonstrate the ability to manage a complex caseload with a high degree of autonomy and to contribute to service development and supervision activities. Band 5 applicants will be supported with appropriate supervision and development opportunities within the team.

Main duties of the job

Band 5 responsibilities

• Undertake assessment & intervention with patients under guidance & supervision of senior OT.
• In partnership with patient & carer where appropriate, contribute to goal setting & intervention planning, with regular review of progress.
• Deliver evidence-based OT interventions within agreed care plans.
• Work as member of the MDT to support delivery of high-quality, individualised care that promotes recovery, wellbeing & independence.
• Discharge planning in collaboration with MDT.
• Actively engage in supervision, appraisal & continuing professional development.

Band 6 responsibilities

• Independently assess, plan & deliver OT interventions for patients with highly complex neurological, cognitive & behavioural needs.
• In partnership with service users & carers where appropriate, set realistic goals & develop collaborative intervention plans, ensuring regular review & adaptation of treatment based on progress & risk.
• Deliver & adapt evidence-based OT interventions, demonstrating clinical reasoning in complex & high-risk situations.
• Work autonomously as part of the MDT to ensure safe, effective & individualised care that maximises independence & recovery.
• Play key role in discharge planning, including environmental assessment, equipment provision & liaison with community services.
• Contribute to supervision & support of junior staff & students. Participate in service development, audit & quality improvement activity as appropriate.

Working for our organisation

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 6th October 2026

Closing date : 19th October 2026

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Recognised Occupational therapy degree/ qualification
• HCPC Registration
• For Band 5: Awareness of Occupational Therapy interventions relevant to neurology / rehabilitation and Ability to work with guidance and supervision within a multidisciplinary team
• For Band 6: Evidence of post-registration training and experience in Occupational Therapy interventions relevant to the post (neurology / neuro-rehabilitation), including working with complex patients and managing clinical risk

Desirable criteria

• For Band 5: Placement or post-registration experience in neurology, rehabilitation, or inpatient settings
• For Band 6: Experience of working autonomously in a complex clinical environment (e.g. inpatient rehabilitation, neurology, mental health)

Experience

Essential criteria

• For Band 5: Experience of working in a clinical setting as a registered Occupational Therapist, including some experience or exposure to working with patients with neurological conditions
• For Band 5: Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• For Band 5: Ability to work with guidance and supervision
• For Band 6: Post-registration experience working with patients with neurological conditions in an inpatient or rehabilitation setting
• For Band 6: Experience of managing a complex caseload and clinical risk, with appropriate supervision
• For Band 6: Experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• For Band 6: Experience of supervising students and/or non-registered staff

Desirable criteria

• For Band 5: Placement or post-registration experience in neurology, rehabilitation or inpatient settings
• For Band 5: Experience working with patients with cognitive or behavioural needs
• For Band 6: Experience of working autonomously with patients with cognitive, behavioural or challenging presentations
• For Band 6: Experience contributing to service development or quality improvement activity

Skills, Ability and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• For Band 5: Understanding of clinical risk and ability to contribute to risk assessment and safety planning with guidance
• For Band 5: Working knowledge of the Occupational Therapy process, including activity analysis
• For Band 5: Ability to use a range of assessments and interventions with support and supervision
• For Band 5: Ability to contribute to client-centred, goal-oriented rehabilitation programmes
• For Band 5: Effective communication and record-keeping skills, with an ability to adapt communication with support when working with people with cognitive or communication difficulties
• For Band 6: Demonstrated skills in clinical risk assessment and risk management within a complex inpatient setting
• For Band 6: Confident understanding and application of the Occupational Therapy process, including activity analysis
• For Band 6: Ability to independently select, use and interpret relevant evidence-based assessments and outcome measures
• For Band 6: Ability to plan, deliver and adapt client-centred, goal-oriented rehabilitation programmes for patients with complex neurological, cognitive or behavioural needs
• For Band 6: Ability to formulate and communicate risk management plans in collaboration with the MDT, particularly in relation to functional independence, moving and handling, equipment provision and discharge planning
• For Band 6: Effective communication and documentation skills, including adapting communication approaches for people with cognitive and communication impairments

Desirable criteria

• For Band 5: Knowledge of rehabilitation approaches used in neurology or inpatient settings
• For Band 5: Awareness of assistive technology and environmental adaptations
• For Band 6: Experience providing clinical guidance or informal leadership to junior staff
• For Band 6: Knowledge of assistive technology and environmental adaptation in neurorehabilitation

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• For Band 5: Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and seek guidance appropriately
• For Band 5: Ability to manage workload and priorities with support
• For Band 5: Flexible and adaptable approach to learning and development
• For Band 5: Good communication skills
• For Band 6: Ability to work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• For Band 6: Ability to prioritise and manage workload in a pressurised and complex environment
• For Band 6: Flexible and adaptable approach to changing service and patient needs
• For Band 6: Effective communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally within the MDT

Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment. Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed.

Please ensure to check out all of the supporting documents linked to this advert, for useful information about working for us, information from our Chief Executive and much more.

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